The Platinum Standard

We have the gold standard, it is a term that describes a historical matching of state issues money to a set amount of gold, a highly prized resource throughout history. In common language when we discuss the gold standard, we discuss the best possible product, service, and or scenario that someone can live up to when attempting to create a system. We try to live up to a ‘gold standard’ in research or a ‘gold standard in manufacturing’ etc… I think there is something even higher. The gold standard is the expected best… but what if we did the unexpected? .   What if we did so much that people thought we were crazy.

There is another metal, platinum, that is commonly used as greater than gold because the metal is rarer. Sony famously uses the Platinum as the ultimately level of trophy for video game achievers beyond Bronze, Silver, and Gold. To say that you have platinum’d a game means you have spent a tremendous amount of time with that game and have.. you’ve completed every level, collected every collectable, mastered every single mode the game offers, and in today’s world of high content AAA video game titles (you got to deliver some serious value in a game if you’re going to ask $60 for it) that can be hundreds of hours playtime.

So who should adhere to the Platinum Standard in the Professional World? There are some obvious answers.. the medical provider who has 100% paid insurance for all employees and their families that include every possible type of health care, mental, emotional, wellness, short and long term disability, etc.. How about the college that has a tuition reimbursement plan that not only offers 100% reimbursement for all continuing education related expenses but also offers significant fully paid time off work for the employee to meet those educational goals without heavily impacting their personal life.

The platinum standard can be expensive, complex, and become a burden on the organization.. but it can also drive an unparalleled reputation, insane loyalty, and make a statement that drives everyone else in your theater of competition or influence to try and achieve more with that they do.. Maybe if some organizations really push for the platinum standard more will be inspired (or feel they need to compete better) and reach the gold standard.

If this happened then no metal would be needed because that type of change would be priceless!